Pan African Film Festival returns for 16th Year

8/9/2014, 9:49 a.m.

BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw)

For nearly two decades the Los Angeles-based Pan African Film Festival has premiered independent feature films, documentaries and shorts by filmmakers of the African Diaspora in Atlanta. From Aug. 7-10 at the Plaza Theater on Ponce de Leon, PAFF will present another strong line-up with 55 screenings of films that you may not get another chance to see.

If you missed it while it played in Atlanta, you will get another chance to see the inspiring beautiful story of “Belle” starring Gugu Mbata and directed by Amma Asante. The film is the closing selection film on Sunday, Aug. 10, at 5:40 p.m. with a post Q&A with the star and the director.

Belle movie poster

“Belle” is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral. Raised by her aristocrat great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle’s lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar’s son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield’s role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in 18th century England. – Stan Washington

For more details on the screenings and panel discussions, go to: www.paff.org.